LYNCHBURG —It will celebrate its 15th year in 2024 and on Saturday runners will once again fill downtown Lynchburg and rural Moore County roads for the annual Oak Barrel Half Marathon. Over 1,200 runners participated last year and registration sold out again in 2024.

Moore County drivers should be on alert and expect potential delays on Saturday. Runners will begin on Main Street and loop through rural Moore County along Old Fayetteville Highway, Goosebranch, Lois Ridge, Norman Wiseman, Tanyard Hill, Campbell Lane, Goodbranch, and Highway 55. Local drivers should exercise extreme caution and be on the lookout for runners along these roads.

Packet pickup begins on Friday in Wiseman Park from noon to 7 p.m. Runners can also pick up packets from 6 to 7:30 a.m. on the day of the race.

The general start time is around 8 a.m. just off the historic Lynchburg Square but runners will begin to show up as early as 6 a.m. It is a chip-timed race with disposable timing chips attached to each race bib. The race begins from Main Street just off the Moore County Square and portions of the roads surrounding the square will be closed until the final runners cross the finish line. Parking for the race will be in Wiseman Park and rain the night before may affect the total amount of spaces available.

The race course is not completely closed to traffic and local law enforcement will be in place along major intersections directing traffic throughout the race. Local drivers should anticipate some delays until the race ends.

To learn more or get updates up to the day of the race, check out the event’s Facebook page. •

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